AIKEN, S.C. – The Pfeiffer University men’s soccer team (0-0-1) opened its 2013 campaign with a 0-0 double overtime tie against USC Aiken (0-0-1). The Pacers held a 16-9 advantage in shots but the Falcons had the better chances to score throughout the match.

Pfeiffer had the early opportunity to take the lead in the 14th minute as Jaime Sanclemente fired a shot that beat USC Aiken’s goalkeeper but deflected off the crossbar. The first half would end in a scoreless tie with the Pacers holding a 7-4 advantage in shots but managed only one shot on goal.

Five minutes into the second half, Aldo Ramirez put a shot on goal but Joshua Poissant made the save to keep the match scoreless. The defenses played tough the rest of the contest as neither offense could break through. In the half, USC Aiken led in shots, 6-3. At the end of regulation, the Falcons thought they scored the game-winner but were whistled for offsides by the referee.

Less than a minute into the first overtime, Pfeiffer had a chance to come away with the victory but a header by Andrew Olortegui was stopped by Poissant. The Falcons would end up with a corner kick and Luke Janes put another header on goal but was again denied by the Pacers keeper. In the 96th minute, USC Aiken had a chance of its own but Nicolas Dulac made a save on a header to ensure the game would go to a second overtime.

Trevor Dean got his second yellow card with less than five minutes remaining in the second overtime, forcing the Falcons to play a man down. Dulac would make his third and final save on a shot off a corner kick in the 108th minute.

“This was a hard, competitive college game,” said Head Coach Bob Reasso after his first game as the leader of the Falcons. “I am very proud of our guys, we competed hard. If we keep competing like we did tonight, we’ll have a good season.”

USC Aiken held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks in the match and each keeper recorded three saves.

Pfeiffer captain Niko Andrade returned from a pre-season injury and saw 60 minutes of game action.

The last time the two teams met was Sept. 2, 2011 in Morrow, Ga. with the Pacers securing a 4-1 victory.

The Falcons are back in action on Sunday at 2 p.m. when they take on Lenoir-Rhyne in the home opener.